| Eagles in wild-card logjam in NFC
PHILADELPHIA -- If the Eagles could have pulled off the greatest upset in NFL history Sunday night they would have been sitting by themselves in the NFC's second wild-card spot, just one game behind the Giants for the top wild-card spot. Instead, as quarterback A.J. Feeley's end-zone pass intended for Kevin Curtis was picked off by New England's Asante Samuel, the Eagles remained a game out of the wild-card picture and log-jammed with five other five-win teams. With five games left in the regular season, the NFC division titles are becoming clearer, Dallas has a three-game lead in the East; Green Bay has a four-game lead in the North; Tampa Bay has a two-game lead in the South; and Seattle has a two-game lead in the West. As far as the race for the two wild-card spots go, it's anybody guess.
NFL gives fans the boot
The Green Bay Packers against the Dallas Cowboys. It's a behemoth battle Thursday night between a pair of 10-1 teams - the first in the NFL since 1990 and just the second since 1970. A prime-time battle for NFC supremacy. The game football fans have been looking forward to for weeks. The game hardly anyone on the Grand Strand will get to see in their homes? Yes, sadly, that too. An impasse between the NFL Network and many of the nation's cable companies, including all that provide cable on the Strand, will keep the game out of most homes in America and send football fans to bars that have the network. The network is owned by the NFL and is broadcasting eight games late this year - exclusively in all but the home markets of the teams in each game - including Thursday's pivotal tilt.
Cardinals' La Russa pleads guilty to drunken driving
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. � St. Louis Cardinals manager Tony La Russa pleaded guilty to driving under the influence today, eight months after police found him asleep inside his running sport utility vehicle at a stop light and smelling of alcohol. La Russa said he had decided to plead guilty to the misdemeanor because it was in the best interest of all concerned. ``I accept full responsibility for my conduct, and assure everyone that I have learned a very valuable lesson and that this will never occur again,'' La Russa said in a statement released by his attorney, David Roth. La Russa did not appear in court to plead guilty. As part of his plea agreement, La Russa will serve at least six months' probation, pay a $678.50 fine, complete DUI school and any recommended treatment and complete 50 hours of community service, according to state prosecutors.
Basketball season!
As Webster County�s Bev Hart enters his third year as head coach of the Trojans, he�s looking for two things from his troops ... aggressive play and a nasty attitude in rebounding. The Trojans begin the 2007-08 campaign without the services of last year�s talented seniors, Jordan Coomes, Logan Dennison and James Tapp. The trio took with them a ton of points, rebounds and more importantly that hard-nosed play that the WCHS coaching staff is looking for. �Early this summer we were pretty rough around the edges. But our play got better the last two weeks of the summer and won 10-of-12 games,� Hart explained. �We really got into a rhythm and played very well. �But right now, I don�t think we�ve gotten back to that level. We�re still a little slow in decision-making and our biggest concern is defense and rebounding.
Sports Briefs: Michael Vick starting prison time early
RICHMOND, Va. — Michael Vick got a head start on a possible long prison stretch, surrendering three weeks before he was to be sentenced for his involvement in a bloody dogfighting ring.The disgraced Atlanta Falcons quarterback surrendered to U.S. marshals in what his lawyer said was another step in his public repentance."From the beginning, Mr. Vick has accepted responsibility for his actions, and his self-surrender further demonstrates that acceptance," Billy Martin said in a statement. "Michael wants to again apologize to everyone who has been hurt in this matter, and he thanks all of the people who have offered him and his family prayers and support during this time."Vick pleaded guilty in August to a federal dogfighting conspiracy charge after his three co-defendants pleaded guilty and agreed to cooperate with authorities.Federal sentencing guidelines suggest he could expect to serve a year to 18 months, but Vick, who has admitted bankrolling the Bad Newz Kennels, faces a maximum of five years in prison.He’s scheduled to be sentenced Dec.
Redskins' Taylor dead after shooting at home
ASHBURN, Va. -- Washington Redskins owner Dan Snyder's eyes were red. His voice cracked and was barely audible. Next to him sat coach Joe Gibbs, barely more composed.Safety Sean Taylor's violent death had left his team in tears and the NFL in mourning."This is a terrible, terrible tragedy," Snyder said.Taylor died early Tuesday of a gunshot wound from an apparent intruder, a tragic end for a 24-year-old man whose life was transformed by the birth of a daughter 18 months ago."We're going to miss him," Gibbs said. "I'm not talking about as a player. I'm talking about as a person."A day earlier, Taylor and his girlfriend were awakened by loud noises, according to family friend Richard Sharpstein, who learned the details from Taylor's girlfriend, Jackie Garcia. He said Taylor grabbed a machete he keeps in the bedroom for protection.Someone then broke through the bedroom door and fired two shots, one missing and one hitting Taylor, Sharpstein said.
Crew caps season Tuesday with Tecos exhibition
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The Columbus Crew will officially close out its 12th season on Tuesday (Nov. 13) when it plays host Tecos UAG of the Mexican Premier Division in an international exhibition at Crew Stadium at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday's match will be broadcast live exclusively via webcast at TheCrew.com, with Neil Sika on the call. The game is included in all Gold-level Crew Soccer Nation memberships, designated as Special Game "C." Tickets - priced at $12 adults/$10 youth (south end), $17/$13 (north end), $20/$15 (upper sideline), $24/$17 (lower sideline) and $37/$27 (club seats) - are on sale at the Crew Stadium Box Office, all central Ohio Ticketmaster retail locations, via Ticketmaster phone at 614-431-3600 and on-line at TheCrew.com. Group pricing is available and may be acquired by calling 614-447-CREW.
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